Noah lay on the bed, arms spread across the soft sheets, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling of his new room.
He was exhausted.
The kind of exhaustion that seeped into the bones—where the mind buzzed even as the body screamed for rest. The adrenaline from the battles had faded, leaving behind the dull ache of overexerted muscles and the silent throb of lingering injuries. His body was in recovery. His mind, however, refused to stop.
The room was simple. Plain stone walls, a single window overlooking the outer fields of the Academy, a wooden desk, and a bed that creaked slightly when he moved. Compared to the opulence of his chambers back at the Weaverheart estate, this was nothing. Spartan. Impersonal. Almost sterile.
But it would do.
He exhaled slowly, letting the silence fill the room. His gaze drifted across the ceiling as his thoughts spiraled back to the final test—replaying every moment, every decision. He had learned things—unexpected, dangerous things.
Elizabeth…
He frowned.
Even with her talent partially sealed, it ranked SSS?
Madness.
That meant the original, unsealed version of her talent… was higher.
EX Unique Rank?
He sucked in a breath, the weight of the realization settling heavy in his chest.
The Akashic Records had claimed he was the first to possess a talent of that caliber in this worlds. So how did Elizabeth have it? Was it because the goddess had sealed her true potential, making the Akashic Records only register the diluted version?
And if her talent were fully unsealed before him gained the ultimate fusion talent…
He closed his eyes, thinking.
She'd have the Limitless title. A designation that even he had barely grasped the implications of. Limitless wasn't just a title. It was more than that.
And that, he knew, would be catastrophic.
He let out a slow, relieved sigh. "Good thing it's sealed. But what if I… unsealed it?"
His heart skipped.
And then shared it with me?
Goosebumps prickled his skin, and a chill raced down his spine.
What would the rank of an upgraded EX Unique ability look like?
There was no way to know. But one thing was certain—
"I want it. I need it."
The desire rooted deep in him, pulsing like a second heartbeat. Insistent. Addictive.
But there was a problem. A major one.
Elizabeth.
Stubborn. Loyal. Still tethered to that damn goddess… and Elijah.
'She needs Elijah', Noah thought, his mind already racing. 'Needs his presence to silence the whispers in her head. His aura keeps her sane. Stable.'
So then…
Separate her from Elijah.
Easy to say. Much harder to do. The bond between them wasn't just emotional—it was spiritual, anchored by divine interference. Severing it wouldn't be as simple as walking her away from him.
But maybe…
Maybe it didn't need to be severed. Just… strained.
His thoughts shifted like a storm cloud drifting toward an open flame.
Leona.
His silver eyes sharpened, cold and calculating.
Leona could pull Elijah's attention away. Distract him. Create distance. Slowly, subtly, drive Elizabeth mad with isolation. Just enough. Just long enough.
Yes.
But how?
'System,' he commanded silently. 'Show me Leona's profile.'
<< PROFILE >>
Name: Leona Tenebris
Age: 15
Race: Demon
Rank: A
Auras: Beastly Aura, Shapeshifter Aura
Titles: The True Shapeshifter, The Adaptive, Loved by Beasts
Affinities: Beast, Illusion, Transformation
Physique: None
Talents:
— Shapeshifter (SSS Rank)
— Supreme Beast Tamer (SS Rank)
<< END >>
Noah blinked.
Once. Twice.
"…What the actual hell?"
A demon.
With not just one, but two top-tier talents. One of them SSS rank. The rarest of the rare.
Another SSS rank talent holder ? This is crazy.
I am starting to believe only talents at EX Unique rank are worth having now.
I will find a way to elevate my Ice talent.
Noah thought
Then he shifted back to Leona's profile.
A shapeshifter—elusive by nature, impossible to pin down, and difficult to kill.
And not just any shapeshifter. The True Shapeshifter.
A demon that close to Elijah?
His lips curled into a grin. It started small—then widened, twisted, darkened.
"Of course. She's perfect."
It was almost laughable. As if fate itself was handing him tools, one after another, on a silver platter. It was so perfect it felt orchestrated.
He chuckled. Then laughed louder. The sound echoed off the stone walls—hollow, unhinged, hungry.
She was already ideal for his plan. Now, she was essential.
Noah leaned forward, sitting up on the edge of the bed, his fingers laced together beneath his chin.
She wouldn't expect him to find out. Shapeshifters survived by staying unnoticed, blending in. Most were harmless. Non-combatants.
But Leona was not harmless.
She was also loved by beasts.
That alone was dangerous. That alone made her a threat.
But it didn't matter.
He would use her.
All he needed was leverage—just enough to control her. To force her hand. Break her loyalty and bend it toward his purpose.
He didn't need her affection. Or respect. Or trust.
Just obedience.
"No love," he whispered to himself. "No support. No friendship."
"Just manipulation."
"Blackmail."
"Control."
"No mercy."
He grinned again, this time slower, colder.
"Leona, my sweet little demoness…"
"I was going to kill you. Or let Elizabeth do it."
"But you're far too useful for that."
Demon or not—if she served a purpose, she'd live.
And she would serve.
He would make sure of it.
He stood, walked to the small window, and stared out at the darkening sky above Apex Academy. Stars blinked faintly through the dusk. A sky full of power. And opportunity.
He whispered, voice like frost against steel—
"Let's make you mine."
…
Meanwhile, in another room across the vast academy halls, Elijah stood in front of a mirror.
His knuckles were white, fists clenched at his sides. His entire body trembled—not with fear, but fury.
He didn't speak. Couldn't.
The reflection staring back at him looked like a ghost of who he thought he was. Bloodied. Defeated. Shattered pride hidden behind clenched teeth.
He wanted to smash the mirror. Shatter it into dust.
Noah.
That arrogant bastard. Smiling like he owned the world.
Victorious.
Unshaken.
Elijah ground his teeth. The noise echoed faintly in the silence of his room. He wanted to tear him apart. Rip that smug expression off his face.
But deep inside, beneath the anger… he knew the truth.
He wasn't strong enough.
Not yet.
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips, dry and sharp.
"I guess the SS difficulty wasn't for show after all."
Then—
< You have taken your first setback as the Chosen One. >
< The Goddess watches you with love and concern. >
< You have been granted a portion of her divine power. >
< New Talent Acquired: Blade of the Gods (EX Unique Rank) >
< Rewards Granted for Progression Quest: >
— Soul Heal Potion
— Soul Protection Artifact
— Soul Strengthening Potion
— +50 Stat Points >
< Use them wisely. >
{Ding! Ding! Ding!}
{FANTASTIC!}
{A god-level being spoils you, a mere mortal.}
{New Title: The Goddess's Favorite}
Elijah stood frozen. He stared at the notifications, wide-eyed. Slowly, the tremor in his hands eased. Not because the fury had passed—but because something else had taken its place.
Power.
Divine, radiant power surged through his soul like wildfire. His wounds healed without a touch. His body burned with potential.
And in that moment, something inside him shifted.
A smile—genuine and awed—tugged at his lips.
"…You're amazing," he whispered. "Truly the best… my goddess."
He closed his eyes, the warmth of her presence coiling gently around his mind like a protective flame.
Let Noah laugh.
This wasn't over.
It was only the beginning.
—End of Chapter 46—